THE 1914-15 STAR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10631, 2 July 1920, Page 3

THE 1914-15 STAR

SURVIVING SOLDIERS’ MEDALS COMPLETED.: The work of engraving and issuing the ”1914-15 Star” has for some weeks past been in the hands of a small staff at the Buckle street Barracks. Under the procedure decided upon by general headquarters upon receipt of the medals from England the first oases dealt with were those of soldiers who had returned from service, these being taken in alphabetical order; the stamping and dispatching to next-of-kin pf the deceased soldiers’ medals was, deferred till the others had been attended to. The preparation of the medals of the surviving soldiers whp are entitled, to the “Star” is now completed, ’but some thousands of these are still awaiting dispatch; they are- being sent out by registered post to the addresses- supplied as fast as the limited staff can deal with them. The issuing of the medals has been hampered to a great extent by, tho apparent indifference with which certain returned men are treating the “Star”; some thousands of ex-soldiers have never applied for the medal, which can only bo forwarded to a recipient, who notifies his exact address and establishes his In other cases the recipients are nntraceable. Consequently some thousands of unclaimed medals are still unissued. Applications for tho medals are being dealt with strictly in order of receipt. A largo , number of men have exprossezl a wish to have their medals presented on parades. Arrangement! utell he made later to have these presented publicly. The staff are now turning its attention to the medals of deceased sol•diers—some 10.000 in' number. Notices have been forwarded to the next-of-km asking for full postal address to be communicated. The medals are being ongraved strictly in alphabetical order, and delivery will be made in order of receipt of the reply to the'notices. In many cases the bona fldes of the next-of-kin is found to bo doubtful, and establishment of identity lias .to bo proved. , , , No definite information has yet been received from. England ns to the date of arrival of tho General Service and Victory Medals. * -